YASMIN AHMAD TRIBUTE AT AUSTRALIA MALAYSIA FILM FESTIVAL

by Neville D'Cruz

MELBOURNE, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- This year's Australian Malaysian Film
Festival (AMFF) from Oct 4 to 7, at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image,
Federation Square, here, pays tribute to the memory of Malaysian filmmaking
legend Yasmin Ahmad.

Yasmin's work crossed conventional cultural barriers and fittingly, in its
third year, the festival offers daytime screenings catering to Australian
students studying regional language, culture and international relations, AMFF
organiser Kate Stephens said.

The event's opening launch party will feature cultural music, dance and
cuisine, special guests, and the first of the festival's Malaysian films,
Yasmin Ahmad's Talentime.

The recent death of Yasmin, one of Malaysia's finest directors, death was
mourned by many as her advertisements and films were renowned and loved for
their heart, honesty and humour, Stephens said.

"Yasmin's work was always laced with positive messages about racial harmony.

"When asked about the themes of her films, she would always declare that
they were about humanity and love, the most important elements of mankind," she
said.


Yasmin's films and advertisements received many awards and were screened at
several prestigious international film festivals including Berlin, Cannes and
Tokyo.

Her last two films, Talentime and Muallaf , will be the opening and closing
screenings at the AMFF.

Talentime is the tale of an Indian boy and a mixed-race Malay girl who meet
and fall in love during a talent quest. In stark contrast, Muallaf tells the
story of two Muslim sisters who escape their abusive father to form an unlikely
relationship with a Catholic boy who has a dark past.

"This year, the festival will hold daytime screenings on Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday, with films specifically chosen for a predominantly young Australian
student audience," said Farah Al Amin, AMFF event coordinator.

"We have invited secondary and tertiary teachers and their students to
attend these screenings," she said.

The films selected this year are from diverse genres; from comedy to
animation to action adventure to melodrama.

Farah said the AMFF had chosen four films that showcased the rapidly
developing technical expertise of the Malaysian film industry, as well as its
high entertainment value.

Audiences will be treated to the highly acclaimed Cicakman 2 and winning
films from the recent Malaysian Film Awards including Geng the Movie and the
short film My Telitori, which received the Best Animation Award and was entirely
created by students of The One Academy.

The film, Pensil, presents the emotionally confronting story of a
handicapped man's quest to succeed in life while faced with severe prejudice and
adversity.

"These films are full of positive values and messages, which offer hope and
are highly suitable for students,'' Farah said.

A free exhibition of batik design and fashion will be on display during the
festival.

AMFF 2009 is part of the inaugural Malaysia Week. For more information,
visit
the website at www.malaysiaweek.com.au or www.amff.com.au

-- BERNAMA